Eagle Forum Legislative Alerts

Friday, June 14, 2013

In any discussion of amnesty, it would be a good idea to remind all illegal aliens about an essential requirement of American citizenship. When an immigrant is granted U.S. citizenship, he or she is required to swear this solemn oath: "I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen." That oath requires people given the privilege of U.S. citizenship to abandon all loyalty to their home country. That oath is a good way to sort out the ones who really want to be Americans. If you listen to what illegal aliens are saying, it's rather clear that many of them plan to retain significant loyalty to their homeland, and some even claim that Mexico rightfully owns several of our southwest states.

A new Rasmussen survey reports that the majority of American voters (54%) do not think that potential U.S. citizens should be allowed to maintain any dual citizenship. That oath is a good way to sort out the ones who really want to be Americans. The vetting of immigrants should make sure that the applicant really wants to become an American. The immigrants of earlier generations, such as the Irish, Italians, and Jewish, certainly did want to be Americans; like Irving Berlin, their attitude was God Bless America.

Our government should investigate thoroughly and reject those who do not want to become Americans, obey our Constitution and laws, speak our language, and salute our Flag. And they should renounce practices that are illegal in America such as polygamy, and accept the rule that disputes in our courts must be decided according to U.S. law, not any foreign law or custom.